MANCHESTER BIKE SHOW – 2016

 

Hosted once again at Events City by Andrew Greenwood’s Classic Shows, the 2016 Manchester Bike Show was bigger and better than it’s ever been. Sponsored this year by Vulcanet, a waterless cleaning product that its claimed with degrease, clean and shine anything you care to aim it at, the two halls were crammed with bikes, clothing, accessories of all types along with live shows and demonstrations.

 

 

With over twenty manufacturers displaying their newest models, at least a hundred and twenty trade stands and forty-six owners and riders clubs catering for every make, model, purpose and activity, it came as no surprise that the queue stretched around the building well before the doors opened. Proof positive that bikes can have more than two wheels DTB Panther Trikes not only had their latest three-wheeled creations on show but they also showed their new quad scooters, these four-wheeled runarounds the ideal solution to city centre congestion plus the fact they can be ridden on a car license.

 

 

Further along the passion for retro came alive on the new Herald Motor Company stand. Built to an exacting British design over in China and powered by either 125cc or 250cc Suzuki derived engines, these small capacity motorbikes recreated the days when small was commonplace and bikes looked, sounded and handled like they ought to. Better still, the most expensive of them all will set you back a mere £3,500 plus the usual bits and bobs. As British as they come although they aren’t these little bikes are set to take to the roads in droves, the interest in them massive.

 

 

And when it came to the right gear and the right price, if you couldn’t find what you wanted at one of the numerous clothing stands then it either wasn’t made or you just couldn’t make your mind up. Equally, if one of the new Oily Rag Clothing Company classic t’s, hoodies caps or Resurgence bikers’ denim didn’t float your retro boat then nothing would. And if you needed any more convincing then listening to author and vintage Triumph rider Zoe Cano was more than able to supply the inspiration.

Signing her new book ‘Southern Escapades’ along with her original best seller ‘Bonneville Go or Bust’, her recent adventures around the back roads of the Southern States of America as she zigged and zagged between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Coast. Taking in the Florida panhandle along with Alabama and Georgia, Zoe’s explorations along with the people she met, the conditions she endured and the sheer joy of two-wheel traveling were enough to enthuse anyone with the urge to ride a bike.

Be it choppers, cruisers, rat bikes, sports bikes, daily riders, bikes for those new to riding, trials bikes or electric bikes, they were all there. In fact if there was a motorbike you wanted to see or sit on that wasn’t there, it was a fair chance that it had never been made but it could well make an appearance at next year’s show given that this event just can’t stop getting bigger.  

If you weren’t a biker when you got to this year’s show you were more than likely were by the time you walked back out. Bikes, boots, brain buckets, bags and insurance were all there by the spade full. All you needed to do was have the spirit to live life on the open road…….you just had to be there man!